Court of Appeal extends Interim Order on SLAS elections
The Court of Appeal this week extended its interim order restraining the Election Committee of Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) from conducting its election. The decision follows a petition filed by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), citing concerns over alleged procedural discrepancies within the election process.
The case raises issues regarding the eligibility of five clubs Colombo MSC, Negombo MSC, SLADA, MRA, and Sri Lanka Army SC—to vote in the elections. According to SLARDAR, these clubs do not meet the constitutional requirement of holding at least one qualifying event and should not be permitted to vote or nominate candidates for office. Concerns have also been raised regarding conflicting letters issued by Gamini Sarath Edirisinghe, the President of the Election Committee. On July 11, 2024, he informed Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) that it was ineligible to vote due to a ban imposed stemming from its refusal to sever ties with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). However, on the same day, another letter was issued confirming CMSC’s voting rights and including its members in the election nominee list.
The current Director General, Shemal Fernando, appointed as the Competent Authority by former Sports Minister Harin Fernando, has raised concerns regarding the common organising permit system adopted by SLAS, which he perceives as facilitating the existence of paper clubs. In a letter from as far back as November 2023, he highlighted that under the SLAS Constitution, clubs failing to conduct at least one event annually should automatically lose their membership. The SLAS election, if held, would determine office-bearers for a four-year term.
A group of aligned clubs, including Southern MSC, SLADA, MRA, SLMCC, AMRC, Colombo MSC, and Army MSC contend that CMSC should not be required to sever its FIA affiliation. These clubs have also opposed the Director General’s decision to ban competitors from holding office, a move seen as vital to ensure transparent and impartial administration and governance of motorsport in
Sri Lanka. CMSC, though not opposed to SLARDAR’s petition, protests its own voting ban. The club has separately filed a case, where an interim order has been issued allowing CMSC to function as an affiliate member of SLAS.
Royal Automobile Club Asia has cited safety concerns in motorsport governance, referring to the Fox Hill Supercross 2024 tragedy in Diyatalawa on April 21, 2024, in which multiple fatalities occurred. The club has also drawn attention to a case, where the Court of Appeal previously ruled that the Nuwara Eliya Motor Racing Club should be granted SLAS membership and voting rights—a decision currently stayed by the Supreme Court.
While the SLAS elections remain on hold, the case is fixed for argument on July 18, 2025. The cases were taken before Justices, Acting President Court of Appeal M.T. Laffar and Sarath Dissanayake. Akiel Deen with Nimanga Senanayake appeared for the petitioners (SLARDAR). Shantha Jayawardena with Thilini Vidanagamage represented the aligned clubs, while Nishan Sydney Premathiratne with Shenali Dias appeared for CMSC. The Minister, Secretary, Director General and Election Committee are represented by DSG Manohara Jayasinghe. Hafeel Farisz with Shannon Tillekeratne appeared for Royal Automobile Club Asia.